With less than 10 days 2008 will be ended, I really hope that next year I can still see the 2009 American car running on the street. If not, my job in here will be over or I can only talk about the used car that up to 2008…

Anyway, after writing about the racing cars, this time I want to talk about the American style car which is the pick up truck.

Ford’s F-Series is the all time best selling vehicle in the past 30 years and most of the sales are generated by the F-150. In 2009, Ford has revamped the F150 in an effort to retain this title. Strong towing and hauling capabilities, solid durability and a dizzying variety of body styles, trim levels and options are the selling point of the Ford F150. Besides that, Ford in the recent years adds more features to the F150 which are smooth, quiet ride and an easy-to-drive demeanor. 2009 Ford F-150 has a powerful engine, along with the six-speed automatic in place of the aged four-speeder, it also provides better low-speed acceleration as well as more relaxed and fuel-efficient cruising. It also boasts massive towing and hauling capacities along with slightly improved fuel economy. You can check out the test-drive videos below.

2009 Ford F-150 has some additional changes which includes inspired by the Super Duty’s front-end styling and a new high-zoot Platinum trim level. The SuperCrew also improves by its 6-inch cabin stretch that able to provide a flat rear floor and limo-like rear passenger room as well as the ability to carry large objects within the cab.

2009 Ford F-150 has more useful features:
-Capless fuel filler
-Steps that deploy to ease access to the bed
-Ford’s Sync multimedia voice command system (which can also provide weather, gas prices, sports scores and movie times via Sirius Travel Link)
-An integrated trailer-brake controller.
-Cargo management system
-Rearview camera.

2009 Ford F-150 has three body styles available which are regular cab, extended cab (SuperCab), and crew cab (“SuperCrew”). Cargo box size choices vary as well: regular cabs come with a 6.5-foot or 8-foot cargo bed, and SuperCabs can have either of those or a garage-friendly 5.5-footer. The SuperCrew can have either the 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed. Reverse-opening rear doors are standard on regular and SuperCabs for easier cab access, while SuperCrews have four full-size doors.

No fewer than seven trim levels are offered: base XL, sporty STX, popularly equipped XLT, rugged FX4, luxurious Lariat, leather-saddle-inspired King Ranch and blinged-out, top-dog Platinum.
For the geared toward commercial use, the bare-bones XL has 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl seating, an AM/FM radio, and air-conditioning. The STX is similarly equipped but adds body-colored bumpers and grille frame, sportier wheels, a cloth 40/20/40-split bench seat and an upgraded sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.

The volume leader XLT features chrome exterior trim which includes the grille, also comes with upgraded cloth interior, cruise control and full power accessories. The FX4 (4WD) shares its color-keyed bumper and grille styling with the STX and also features a towing package, 18-inch wheels, underbody skid plates, retuned springs and heavy-duty shocks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, bucket seats with center console, a six-way power driver seat and satellite radio.

The Lariat trim offers an upscale ambiance with two-tone paint, a silver mesh grille insert, brushed aluminum and wood interior highlights, leather upholstery, 10-way power driver and passenger seats, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, the Sync multifunction voice command system, automatic climate control and a trip computer. Like the Lariat, the King Ranch has two-tone paint and the fancy grille, but it adds western saddle-inspired leather upholstery, a six-CD changer and heated/cooled front seats.

The new Platinum trim tops the line and features 20-inch chrome wheels, a unique grille design, monotone paint, chrome accents, premium leather upholstery, the heated/cooled seats and unique wood-grain accents.

Key F-150 options include the SFE (superior fuel economy) package that’s available on 2WD SuperCrew XL and XLTs with the 4.6-liter high-output V8. The SFE package includes the 5.5-foot bed, a 3.15:1 rear axle ratio and low-rolling-resistance tires. Other options include a premium Sony audio system, remote engine start, a navigation system, a back-up camera, a cargo management system, a stowable bed extender, reverse parking sensor, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a sunroof.

Aimed at those who work out of their trucks, Ford’s Work Solutions options include an in-dash computer with Internet access, a Midbox storage system (a lockable compartment located between the cab and bed) and a “Tool Link” system (which allows one to keep tabs on tools stored in the truck’s box via radio-frequency tracking).

On the performance part, consumers can choose from the three main engine choices in the 2009 Ford F-150 lineup, all of them V8s: they are 4.6-liter that makes 248 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque, a higher-output 4.6 with 292 hp and 320 lb-ft and a 5.4-liter unit with 320 hp and 390 lb-ft. The base 4.6 is paired to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the high-output 4.6 and 5.4 are mated to a six-speed automatic.

As expected, buyers have a choice between two- and four-wheel drive on all versions of the F-150. When it comes to working capacity, the F-150 can’t be beat. Properly equipped, an F-150 with the 5.4-liter V8 can tow up to 11,300 pounds and carry a 3,030-pound payload.

Fuel mileage can be as high as 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined for an F-150 2WD SuperCrew with the SFE (superior fuel economy) package. A more typical 4WD SuperCrew with the 5.4-liter V8 gets EPA estimates of 14/18/15 mpg.

For the safety side, 2009 Ford F-150 has antilock disc brakes; stability control, trailer sway control and a full complement of airbags (including front seat side and full-length side curtain) are standard across the board.

In SuperCrew form, the 2009 Ford F-150 can comfortably seat five or six people. Backseat comfort rivals the best in the segment thanks to an abundance of legroom, a flat floor and a seatback angle that’s not too upright as in some rivals. Carrying three passengers in the backseat is still possible if you get a SuperCab, though legroom will be noticeably less generous.

All F-150 versions offer simple controls and materials of pleasing quality. Order the navigation system and you’ll get a large (8-inch) screen. Lower trims have a standard 40/20/40-split bench seat with a column shifter, while the upper trims feature captain’s chairs and a console shifter.

Hauling large items is no problem in SuperCabs and SuperCrews, as the backseat quickly folds up to make way for cargo. The SuperCrew’s flat floor allows for secure transport of pets and big-screen TVs alike.

Thanks to its stiff frame and double-wishbone front suspension, the 2009 Ford F-150 delivers impressive ride and handling dynamics for a full-size truck. The powertrain enhancements this year also make the truck feel noticeably livelier. The F-150 is still down on maximum power — to the tune of 60-80 hp compared to the big V8s in the Ram, Tundra and GM trucks — but all-around performance with the two uplevel V8s is more than adequate, thanks in part to the six-speed automatic’s well-spaced gears and cooperative nature. I find some interesting youtube videos and remember to check them out. Peace out!!~

Reference Links:
http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2008_detroit/0801_2009_ford_f-150/index.html
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/f150/2009/review.html
http://www.newcartestdrive.com/sneakpreview.cfm?ReviewID=181

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